Does Your iPhone Turning Off By Itself? Here’s What to Do
Most iPhone users know how reliable these devices can be. Still, iPhones are still pieces of technology, and they may occasionally behave in unexpected ways. One issue you might face is your iPhone turning by itself, regardless of whether it’s the latest model or a classic one. We will examine why this may occur and just how you may respond to each one.
Identifying the Random Shutdown Issue
If your iPhone switches off without your input, you’ll often see the Apple logo flash on screen. In case your device overheats, it may switch off to protect internal components. It may display the Apple logo, a black screen, or a temperature warning before it shuts down.
Overheating Can Trigger Shutdowns
All iPhones have an ideal temperature range. If your device gets too hot, it may turn off randomly to protect internal components. You might see the Apple logo, a black screen, or a temperature warning before it shuts down.
When Does Overheating Occur?
- Leaving the device in direct sunlight: Placing your phone on the dashboard during a sweltering afternoon is a surefire way to overheat it.
- High-temperature environments: Saunas, boiler rooms, or even a closed-up greenhouse-type space can subject your iPhone to extreme temperatures.
- Near heat sources: Radiators, space heaters, or stove tops can warm the phone enough for it to shut itself down.
When you use your phone for resource-intensive tasks (watching HD videos, playing graphics-intensive games or running augmented reality apps) in a hot environment the device will heat up even faster. The operating system may display a temperature warning or may power off without warning when it gets too hot.
How to Resolve Overheating Issues

Move your iPhone from the hot environment into a cooler area. Avoid quickly cooling it in a fridge or freezer, as that can cause damage. Typically, no permanent harm will occur if you allow your phone to return to a normal temperature on its own. After about an hour, test the device to see if it functions correctly again.
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If overheating is not the cause, you will need to investigate other possibilities.
Software Glitches Causing Sudden Restarts
Software glitches are among the most common culprits of an iPhone that powers off randomly. These issues can be caused by a buggy app, a partially installed update, or any number of small errors that occur in the background. One relatively simple way to address such problems is a force restart.
How to Perform a Force Restart
- iPhone X and later: Press and hold the Side button plus either Volume button until you see the slider. Drag it to power off. Wait a few seconds, then press and hold the side button again to turn the phone back on.
- iPhone SE, 8, 7, or 6: Press and hold the Side button until the Power Off slider appears. Drag it to turn the device off. After a brief pause, press the Side button once more to reboot.
- iPhone 5 or earlier: Hold down the Top button until the Power Off slider shows up. Swipe it to turn your phone off. Wait a bit, then press the Top button to power back on.
After forcing a restart, keep an eye on your device for the next few days. If it continues to switch off unexpectedly, move on to the next step.
Consider a Hard Reset
If the force restart hasn’t resolved the issue, try a hard reset. The steps vary slightly based on your iPhone model:

- iPhone models supporting iOS 16
- Quickly press and release Volume Up, then Volume Down.
- Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
- Once you see the Apple logo, release the Side button.
- iPhone 8 or second-gen iPhone SE
- Quickly press and release Volume Up, then Volume Down.
- Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears, then let go.
- iPhone 7
- Simultaneously press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and the Volume Down button until the Apple logo surfaces, then release them.
- First-gen iPhone SE or iPhone 6S
- Press and hold both the Home button and the Sleep/Wake button at the same time.
- Let go when the Apple logo shows up.
A hard reset can resolve deeper system issues, including random shutdowns. If your phone continues to power off unexpectedly afterward, keep reading.
Check Battery Health
In case the shutdown occurs repeatedly, the main cause may be the battery. If the battery does not hold enough charge, the phone might turning off by itself.
Try Recharging Your Phone
Charge your device till it’s completely charged up with a USB cable. Disconnect and observe whether it remains stable. If it still shuts down, you’ll need another approach.
Expert Options: DFU, Apple Support, and Repairs
Should You Enter DFU Mode?
Device Firmware Update (DFU) mode can sometimes correct severe firmware issues. However, many iPhone owners find that entering DFU for this specific problem isn’t always the ideal first step. It’s generally better to consult a professional at an Apple Store or an authorized repair shop to see if DFU mode is truly necessary.
Considering Apple Support
If you haven’t had any luck fixing the issue on your own, you can reach Apple Support. However, a phone call or Live Chat is usually less effective in this case because someone must physically inspect your iPhone to diagnose hardware or software failures.
What Happens at the Genius Bar?
Visiting an Apple Store or an Apple-authorized service provider is often the most direct way to get an accurate diagnosis. The staff will:
- Check for any obvious software or settings issues
- See if your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS
- Possibly restore your device to factory settings to determine if a clean software slate fixes the random shutdowns
- Run diagnostics to detect any battery or hardware malfunctions
The advantage of going straight to the experts is that they have access to proprietary tools and diagnostics. They can spot issues that might remain invisible to the average user. Furthermore, if your phone is still under warranty, or if you have AppleCare+, many repairs could be free or discounted.
Evaluating Repair Costs
In case you purchased a new iPhone recently, you likely have an Apple one year limited warranty. If you bought AppleCare+, that coverage might even go a little further and some accidental damage or battery issues might be covered as well. However, when your warranty is over and your phone requires more than a software fix, repair costs can be rather high.
- Battery Replacement: Generally among the least expensive repairs.
- Screen or Display Issues: More expensive, but often fixable.
- Logic Board or Internal Components: Costs can sometimes approach the value of a new phone, especially if it’s an older model.
Is Paying for a Repair Worth It?
Deciding whether to pay for a repair depends on a few factors:
- Phone Age: In case your phone is more than three or four years of age, you might want to think about a costly repair instead.
- Cost versus benefit: If the repair cost is more than half the price of a newer or refurbished phone, cut your losses.
- Sentimental or Practical Value: Maybe you rely on specific apps or you have photos you can’t easily replace. Maybe you rely on specific apps or you have photos you can’t easily replace. In this case a repair may be more appealing than migrating to a new device although you should always back up data regularly to avoid loss.

Ask the repair technician for an estimate before making a decision. Compare the cost of repair to the cost of upgrading. If the repair is minor, it could be the most cost-effective choice. If it’s prohibitively expensive, selling or trading in your current phone could be the better route.
Preventing Future Shutdowns
Once you’ve resolved the random shutdown issue—or upgraded to a new device—consider adopting a few best practices to prevent a recurrence:

- Update iOS regularly. Apple releases occasionally updates that fix software bugs, security holes, and performance problems. Keeping your phone current also reduces the chance of random glitches.
- Monitor battery health. Check your battery capacity from time to time. If it is too low, consider replacing it early to avoid sudden shutdowns.
- Avoid extreme temperatures. Keep your phone out of direct sunlight and don’t leave it in a hot car or near any heat sources for extended periods.
- Be careful with intensive tasks. In case your phone is getting warm while gaming or even streaming videos, switch it off or shut down energy-hungry apps.
Following these guidelines helps keep your device in top condition and extend its life.
Selling Your Old iPhone
If the price of repairs is simply too great or you simply do not want to spend more cash on a device which may simply keep on making problems, sell it instead. Several platforms, such as GadgetPickup, buy used electronics like iPhones that are broken or malfunctioning.
- Straightforward Process: You usually get a quote online by answering a few questions about your phone’s condition, then ship it off using a prepaid label.
- Guaranteed Price: Companies typically offer a price lock for a set period—often around 14 days—giving you time to decide.
- Fast Payment: Once the phone arrives and its condition is confirmed, you get paid. You can then put this cash toward a new device that better meets your needs.
Selling your old or broken iPhone can be a great way to offset the cost of purchasing a newer model, especially if you’re already due for an upgrade. Many buyers will still pay for devices that are damaged, provided they can refurbish or salvage the parts.

Ready to Upgrade? Turn Your Old iPhone into Cash
An iPhone shutting off by itself can be frustrating, but temperature extremes, software bugs or battery problems are usually the cause of the problem. Start with simple fixes like letting the phone cool, a force restart or a hard reset. If that fails, an Apple technician or authorized repair shop can diagnose the problem and recommend the most economical solution.
When repair expenses run high, or if you simply want to trade up, remember that your can sell you iphone quickly to GadgetPickup. With the right help and a bit of patience, you’ll be back to enjoying your iPhone without unexpected shutdowns.